Colored contact lens with a more natural appearance

ABSTRACT

A colored contact lens ( 10 ) having a non-opaque pupil section ( 20 ), an iris section ( 22 ) surrounding the pupil section ( 20 ), and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern made up of a plurality of elements located over the entire iris section ( 22 ) that leaves asubstantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque, the pattern covering an effective amount of the iris section ( 22 ) to change the apparent color of the iris, the pattern having a plurality of portions, each of the portions being a different shade from each other portion, each of the portions overlapping each other portion at a plurality of points, where at least one of the plurality of portions contains a design selected from the group consisting of uniform and non-uniform dots, islands of color, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and streaks, thereby providing a lens ( 10 ) capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of a person wearing the lens ( 10 ) and imparting a very natural appearance.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of thefiling date of the provisional U.S. patent application having Ser. No.60/174,288, filed on Jan. 3, 2000, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to colored contact lenses and inparticular to such lenses having multiple opaque colored portions thatform a pattern that can change the apparent color of the iris whileimparting a very natural appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Early attempts to modify or enhance the color of one's eyes utilizedcolored contact lenses with a simple solidly colored area that coveredthe iris portion of the eye. However, contact lenses with this type ofopaque coloring imparted a very unnatural appearance. Other types ofcolored contact lenses were developed, such as Wichterle, U.S. Pat. No.3,679,504, which discloses an opaque lens having an iris of more than asingle color artistically drawn or photographically reproduced. However,such lenses did not look natural and as such never achieved commercialsuccess. Other attempts to produce an opaque lens with a naturalappearance are disclosed in. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,536,386, (Spivak);3,712,718 (LeGrand), 4,460,523 (Neefe), 4,719,657 (Bawa), 4,744,647(Meshel et al.), 4,634,449 (Jenkins); European Patent Publication No. 0309 154 (Allergan) and U.K. Patent Application No. 2 202 540 A (IGEL).

Commercial success was achieved by the colored contact lens described inKnapp (in U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,402) which discloses a contact lenshaving, in its preferred embodiment, colored, opaque dots. The Knapplens provides a natural appearance with a lens that is simple andinexpensive to produce, using a simple one-color printed dot pattern.Although the intermittent pattern of dots does not fully cover the iris,it provides a sufficient density of dots that a masking effect gives theappearance of a continuous color when viewed by an ordinary observer.Knapp also discloses that the printing step may be repeated one ormore-times using different patterns in different colors, since uponclose examination the iris is found to contain more than one color. Theprinted pattern need not be absolutely uniform, allowing for enhancementof the fine structure of the iris. The one-color Knapp lenses currentlyachieving commercial success have their dots arranged in an irregularpattern to enhance the structure of the iris. However, neither the Knappcommercial lenses, nor the Knapp patent disclose or suggest how onewould arrange a pattern of dots having more than one color to achieve amore natural appearance.

Various efforts have been made to improve on the Knapp lens. U.S. Pat.No. 5,414,477 to Jahnke discloses the application of the intermittentink pattern in two or more portions of distinct shades of colorant toprovide a more natural appearance.

Other attempts to create a more natural appearing lens include U.S. Pat.No. 5,120,121 to Rawlings, which discloses a cluster of interconnectinglines radiating from the periphery of the pupil portion to the peripheryof the iris portion. Further, European Patent No. 0 472 496 A2 shows acontact lens having a pattern of lines that attempts to replicate thelines found in the iris.

Despite these efforts, the contact lens industry continues to seek alow-cost, colored lens that can enhance or modify the eye color, whileproviding the depth and texture that is inherent in the human iris.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the surprising discovery that apattern having multiple-color opaque portions can achieve a more naturalappearing iris if configured properly. The improvement in appearanceover the one-color Knapp lenses and the multiple-color Jahnke lenses isstartling. Like the one and two color lenses, the lenses of thisinvention are able to cause a fundamental change in the apparent colorof the wearers iris, e.g. from dark brown to light blue or green.Although a preferred embodiment of the invention is a three color lenswherein different colors overlap, more than three colors arecontemplated, and lenses wherein all three (or more) of the differentcolors overlap are also contemplated.

One objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lens witha non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupilsection, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the irissection. The elements of the pattern are indiscernible to the ordinaryviewer and are made up of a first portion of the elements of thepattern, which is a first shade, and a second portion of the elements ofthe pattern, which is a second shade different from said first shade,and a third portion of the elements of the pattern, which is a thirdshade different from said second shade and either different or the sameas the first shade. Each of the three portions contain overlapping,mixing and blending elements consisting of or making up, uniform andnon-uniform dots, islands of colors, worms, starbursts, corkscrews,spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and/or streaks, incombination or separately. Further, each of the overlapping portions mayor may not extend from one end of the non-opaque pupil section to theperiphery of the iris section. The blending of these various portionscreates a lens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of aperson wearing the lens, while imparting a very natural appearance.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lenswith a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupilsection, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the irissection. The elements of the pattern are indiscernible to the ordinaryviewer and are made up of a first portion of the elements of thepattern, or the outermost starburst, which is a first shade, and asecond portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outer starburst,which is a second shade different from said first shade, and a thirdportion of the elements of the pattern, or the inner starburst, which isa third shade different from said second shade and either different orthe same as the first shade. The outermost starburst has a greatestconcentration of elements located generally outside of the outerstarburst, and the outer starburst has a greatest concentration ofelements located generally outside the inner starburst. A first unevenborder differentiates the outermost and outer starbursts, although thereis overlap of the outermost and outer starbursts. A second uneven borderdifferentiates the outer and inner starbursts, although there is overlapbetween the outer and inner starbursts. Thus, a lens capable of changingthe apparent color of the iris of a person wearing the lens andimparting a very natural appearance is provided.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lenswith a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupilsection, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the irissection, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices ofthe pattern non-opaque. The pattern covers at least about 25 percent ofthe area of the iris section. The elements of the pattern areindiscernible to the ordinary viewer. A first portion of the elements ofthe pattern, or the outermost starburst, is of a first shade, and asecond portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outer starburst,is of a second shade different from said first shade, and a thirdportion of the elements of the pattern, or the inner starburst, is of athird shade different from said second shade and either different or thesame as the first shade. The outermost starburst has a greatestconcentration of elements located generally outside of the outerstarburst, and the outer starburst has a greatest concentration ofelements located generally outside of the inner starburst. A firstuneven border differentiates the outermost and outer starbursts althoughthe outermost and outer starbursts overlap, and a second uneven borderdifferentiates the outer and inner starbursts although the outer andinner starbursts overlap. The minimum distance of the first unevenborder from the outer perimeter of said iris section is from about 5% toabout 60% of the radial width of said iris section. The maximum distanceof the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of said iris sectionis from about 25% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section.The minimum distance of the second uneven border from the outerperimeter of the iris section is from about 15% to about 75% of theradial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance of saidsecond uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section isfrom about 50% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section.Thus, a contact lens capable of changing the apparent color of the irisof a person wearing the lens and imparting a very natural appearance isprovided.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contact lenswith a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding the pupilsection, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the irissection, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices ofthe pattern non-opaque. The pattern covers at least about 25 percent ofthe area of the iris section. The elements of the pattern areindiscernible to the ordinary viewer. A first portion of the elements ofthe pattern, or the outermost starburst, is of a first shade, and asecond portion of the elements of the pattern, or the outer starburst,is of a second shade different from said first shade, and a thirdportion of the elements of the pattern, or the inner starburst, is of athird shade different from said second shade and either different or thesame as the first shade. The outermost starburst has a greatestconcentration of elements located generally outside of the outerstarburst, and the outer starburst has a greatest concentration ofelements located generally on the outside of the inner starburst. Afirst uneven border differentiates the outermost and outer starburstsalthough the outermost and outer starbursts overlap, and a second unevenborder differentiates the outer and inner starbursts although the outerand inner starbursts overlap. The minimum distance of the first unevenborder from the outer perimeter of said iris section is from about 15%to about 50% of the radial width of said iris section. The maximumdistance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of saidiris section is from about 45% to about 95% of the radial width of theiris section. The minimum distance of the second uneven border from theouter perimeter of the iris section is from about 15% to about 65% ofthe radial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance of saidsecond uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section isfrom about 60% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section.Thus, a contact lens capable of changing the apparent color of the irisof a person wearing the lens and imparting a very natural appearance isprovided.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contactlens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding thepupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the irissection, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices ofthe pattern non-opaque. The pattern covers an effective amount of theiris section to change the apparent color of the iris. The pattern ismade up of multiple portions, each of which is a different shade fromthe other portion. These portions may or may not overlap each other atmultiple points. At least one of the multiple portions is a design thatcontains either uniform or non-uniform dots, islands of color, worms,starbursts, spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and/orstreaks, or some other design that, along with the other portions,provides a lens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris ofthe person wearing the lens, while imparting a very natural appearance.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contactlens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding thepupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the irissection, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices ofthe pattern non-opaque. The pattern, which is made up of elements,covers an effective amount of the iris section to change the apparentcolor of the iris. The pattern is made up of multiple portions, each ofwhich is a different shade from the other portion. Further, one of theseportions is the darkest shade, one of these portions is the lightestshade, and the pattern is configured so that the darkest shaded portionhas the greatest concentration of elements located generally outside theother portions. This design provides a lens capable of changing theapparent color of the iris of the person wearing the lens, whileimparting a very natural appearance.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a colored contactlens with a non-opaque pupil section, an iris section surrounding thepupil section, and a colored, opaque intermittent pattern over the irissection, which leaves a substantial portion within the interstices ofthe pattern non-opaque. The pattern, which is made up of elements,covers an effective amount of the iris section to change the apparentcolor of the iris. The pattern is made up of at least three portions,each of which is a different shade from each other portion. Each of theportions overlap the other portion at multiple points. These overlappingportions blend, mix or commingle together, or appear to blend, mix orcommingle together, producing unique textures, colors and patterns thatmake the eye look natural when the contact lens is placed on the eye. Toobtain the commingling or blending of the portions, in some instancesthe different shades will be printed in the same location or closeenough that the difference in location is not discernible. This designprovides a lens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of aperson wearing the lens, while imparting a very natural appearance.

It can be easily understood that other colored lenses having patternswith multiple portions (having different shades or colors) can bedesigned and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

The term “non-opaque” as used herein is intended to describe a part ofthe lens that is uncolored or colored with translucent coloring.

The term “second shade different from said first shade” (or some similarlanguage) as used herein is intended to mean that both shades are oftotally different colors, such as blue and hazel; or that both shadesare the same basic color, but having different intensities such as lightblue and dark blue.

The term “ordinary viewer” is intended to mean a person having normal20—20 vision standing about 5 feet from a person wearing the lenses ofthis invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a contact lens pattern in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a contact lens pattern indicating an outermoststarburst in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a contact lens pattern indicating an outer starburstin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a contact lens pattern indicating an inner starburstin accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate three contact lens patterns in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a contact lens design based on the combination ofFIGS. 5A-5C in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a contact lens pattern with elements removed from theperiphery of the pattern in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a contact lens pattern that is not substantiallycontinuous in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates three contact lens patterns, one of which is notsubstantially continuous in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates three contact lens patterns in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates three contact lens patterns in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates three contact lens patterns and the combined contactlens design in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates three contact lens patterns and the combined contactlens design in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates three contact lens patterns and the combined contactlens design in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 19 illustrates a four-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 20 illustrates a three-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 21 illustrates a four-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 22 illustrates a four-pattern contact lens design in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a contact lens 10 in accordance with the present invention.It has a non-opaque pupil section 20 in the center of lens, and anannular iris section 22 surrounding the pupil section. For hydrophiliclenses a peripheral section (not shown) surrounds iris section 22. Acolored, opaque, intermittent pattern is located over the iris section22, as show in FIG. 1. The pattern leaves a substantial portion of theiris section within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque. Thenon-opaque areas of the iris section 22 appear white in FIG. 1.

The elements of the pattern are preferably dots, and especiallypreferred are dots, some of which run together, as shown in FIG. 1.Certain portions of the iris section 22 are less densely covered withdots than other portions.

The opaque pattern or patterns can be made up of dots having regular orirregular, uniform or non-uniform shapes, for example, round, square,hexagonal, elongated, or other dot shapes. Further, the elements of thepattern may have a shape other than dots, so long as the elements areundescrinable to the ordinary viewer, cover between 10 and 30 percent,preferably about 20 percent of the iris, and leave a substantial portionof the iris section within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque.The patterns that make up the portions of the iris can be islands ofcolor or worms, corkscrews, starbursts, spokes, spikes, striations,radial stripes, zig-zags and streaks. In certain cases, a single colorbackground is used to complement the multi-pattern design. Thesepatterns blend with each other to provide a colored contact lens thatenhances the structure of the iris of a person wearing the lens.

The improvement of this invention is a multiple color pattern thatgreatly improves the natural appearance of the wearer's iris, even overthat of one and two color lenses. To produce this improvement, three (ormore) colored patterns are printed in three or more portions. A firstportion of the elements are of a first shade and generally have agreatest concentration of dots or other elements located generally onthe outside of, but within, the iris section, i.e. at or near the outerperimeter of the annular iris section. This section may be referred toas the outermost starburst. A preferable first outside portion patternor outermost starburst is shown in FIG. 2. Black, or some other darkcolor such as gray, dark-brown or dark blue, is most often used as thecolor of the outermost starburst.

A second portion (the outer starburst) of the elements are a secondshade, which is different from the first shade, and has elements with agreatest concentration located generally on the inside of the outermoststarburst, and generally, although not always, surrounded by theoutermost starburst portion. A preferable second portion or outerstarburst appears in FIG. 3. The outer starburst can be many colors, forexample, blue, gray, brown, light blue, turquoise, violet, blue-violet,aqua, yellow or green.

A third portion (the inner starburst) of the elements are of a thirdshade, which is different from the second shade and either the same ordifferent from the first shade. This third portion has a greatestconcentration of elements located generally, but not always, on theinside of the other two portions. Generally, the greatest concentrationof elements of the third portion is surrounded by the concentration ofelements of the other two portions. A preferable third inside portionpattern or inner starburst appears in FIG. 4. A preferred color for theinner starburst is hazel, but other colors to be used include yellow,yellow-green, brown, yellow-brown, gold and orange. FIG. 1, a preferredembodiment of the present invention, shows a combination of FIGS. 2, 3and 4.

In a preferred embodiment, a first uneven border differentiates theoutermost starburst-and the outer starburst portions of the patternelements, however, the elements of the outermost and outer starburstsoverlap, mix and blend together, either in actuality or merely inperception, to create the desired effect. A second uneven borderdifferentiates the outer starburst and the inner starburst portions ofthe pattern. The elements of the outer and inner starbursts overlap, mixand blend together, either in actuality or in perception. If thepatterns of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are merged to form a three color lens, theuneven edge of the pattern shown in FIG. 2 will merge and overlap withthe pattern shown in FIG. 3 to form the first uneven border between theoutermost and outer starbursts. Further, the uneven edge of the patternshown in FIG. 4 will merge and overlap with the pattern shown in FIG. 3to form the second uneven border between the outer and inner starbursts.

In certain patterns, the outer starburst may contain pattern thatextends further toward the periphery of the lens than the pattern of theoutermost starburst. In other patterns, the outer starburst may containpattern that extends further toward the pupil section of the lens thanthe pattern of the inner starburst.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention include minimum andmaximum distances of the uneven borders from the outer perimeter of theiris section. For example in one alternative embodiment, the minimumdistance of the first uneven border from the outer perimeter of the irissection is from about 5% to about 60% of the radial width of the irissection, and the maximum distance of the uneven border from the outerperimeter of the iris section is from about 25% to about 95% of theradial width of the iris section, and the minimum distance of the seconduneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about15% to about 75% of the radial width of the iris section, and themaximum distance of the uneven border from the outer perimeter of theiris section is from about 50% to about 95% of the radial width of theiris section.

In another embodiment, the minimum distance of the first uneven borderfrom the outer perimeter of the iris section is from about 15% to about50% of the radial width of the iris section, and the maximum distance ofthe uneven border from the outer perimeter of the iris section is fromabout 45% to about 95% of the radial width of the iris section, and theminimum distance of the second uneven border from the outer perimeter ofthe iris section is from about 15% to about 65% of the radial width ofthe iris section, and the maximum distance of the uneven border from theouter perimeter of the iris section is from about 60% to about 95% ofthe radial width of the iris section.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the outer starburst pattern mayextend to the periphery of the iris section of the contact lens, suchthat some elements that make up the outer starburst are outside of allof the elements that make up the outermost starburst pattern, and/or theelements that make up the outer starburst pattern extend closer to thepupil section such that some of those elements are inside all of theelements of the inner starburst pattern.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the inner starburst patterncreates an interdigitation configuration with either the outermoststarburst pattern or the outer starburst pattern or both patterns.Further, the outermost starburst pattern may create an interdigitationconfiguration with the outer starburst pattern. In an interdigitationconfiguration, one pattern intersects another similar to the fingers onone hand placed between the fingers on the other hand in a planarfashion.

Another embodiment is made up of a pattern in which at least one of theportions, and preferably more than one, is made up of a pattern ordesign which consists of elements which are or create uniform andnon-uniform dots, islands of color, worms, corkscrews, starbursts,spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and/or streaks (seethe examples in FIGS. 5-22). Also, a single color may be used as abackground in conjunction with the multi-pattern design (see FIGS. 21and 22). In these designs the portions may be the same, as in FIGS. 15and 16, or different, as in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21. For example, if theoutermost starburst is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the outerstarburst is the one shown in FIG. 3, then the inner starburst may be adesign in which radial stripes begin at the inner portion of the irisand travel in a radial direction toward the outer periphery of the iris.In this particular embodiment, the remaining multiple portions, whetherthere are two or more, are made up of a plurality of elements, which maybe similar in design to the foregoing portion, combine to leave asubstantial portion within the interstices of the pattern non-opaque.

Alternative embodiments include patterns designed such that the greatestconcentration of elements having the darkest color or shaded portion arelocated generally on the outside of the concentration of the elements ofthe other portions. In particular, the darkest shaded portion has agreater concentration of elements generally located outside the portionswith the lighter shaded portions. Another embodiment places thedifferent portions having different shades such that the darkest portionhas the greatest concentration of elements generally located on theoutside of the other portions, and the next darkest portion has thegreatest concentration of elements generally located outside theremaining portions' elements. This design continues until the lightestshaded portion has the greatest concentration of elements generallylocated inside all of the other portions.

Another embodiment includes patterns that are not continuous orconcentric. In other words, these patterns, which may be of the typelisted above, have noticeable non-opaque areas such that when viewedwithout the other patterns, the non-opaque areas are clearly visible.However, when these patterns are combined with other patterns, theoverlapping, blending and mixing of these patterns creates a design thatis able to change the apparent color of the iris, while imparting a verynatural appearance.

Producing the opaque portions of the iris section is preferablyaccomplished by printing the lens three times using the known printingprocess of Knapp's U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,402, incorporated herein byreference, and the known printing process of Rawlings' U.S. Pat. Nos.5,034,166 and 5,116,112, incorporated herein by reference. Generally, aplate or cliche having depressions in the desired pattern is smearedwith ink of the desired shade. Excess ink is removed by scrapping thesurface of the plate with a doctor blade leaving the depression filledwith ink. A silicon rubber pad is pressed against the plate to pick upthe ink from the depressions and then is pressed against a surface ofthe lens to transfer the pattern to the lens. The printed pattern isthen cured to render it unremovable from the lens. Of course, either theanterior or posterior surfaces of the lens may be printed, but printingthe anterior surface is presently preferred.

Preferred lenses and ink Ingredients used to practice this invention areknown and described in Loshaek's U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,240, incorporatedherein by reference. The specific ingredients and target weights aredescribed in detail below. Very briefly, a lens constructured of polymerhaving —COOH, —OH, or —NH₂ groups is printed with ink containing bindingpolymer having the same functional groups, opaque coloring substance,and a diisocyanate compound. First a solution of binding polymer andsolvent is prepared and this solution is mixed with paste containing thecoloring substance to form an ink. A preferred binding polymer solutionshave a viscosity of about 35,000 CPS for blue, gray, brown and black,and 50,000 CPS for green. The opaque ink is printed and cured on thelens surface.

Ink pastes and pigments that can be utilized in the present inventioncan be made in a number of different ways using the ingredients andpercentages (by weight) as described below in the ink color charts. Forexample, a hazel ink paste can be made using 63.49 percent bindersolution (by weight), 30.00 percent ethyl lactate, 0.61 percent titaniumdioxide, 0.06 percent PCN blue, 4.30 percent iron oxide yellow, and 1.54percent iron oxide red. Although these colors are used for the preferredembodiments, other colors or variations of the weight percentage ofingredients may be used. The charts below are merely a representativeexample of the possible inks and pigment levels, and is not a completelist. One of ordinary skill in the art could develop other inks andpigment levels that would provide an enhancing effect to the iris of aperson wearing the contact lens.

INK PASTE COLOR CODE BLUE GRAY Total WT. (g) 600 3000 600 3000 WeightTarget Target Weight Target Target Ingredient Percent Weight WeightPercent Weight Weight Ethyl Lactate 30.55 183.30 916.50 30.75 184.50922.50 Binder Soln 61.15 366.90 1834.50 59.84 359.10 1795.50 PCN Blue1.21 7.26 36.30 PCN Green 0.23 1.38 6.90 TiO₂ 7.09 42.54 212.70 7.3444.04 220.20 IO Black 1.83 10.98 54.90 Grinding 600 3000 600 3000 MediaINK PASTE COLOR BROWN HAZEL Total Wt. (g) 651 3000 651 3000 WeightTarget Target Weight Target Target Ingredient Percent Weight WeightPercent Weight Weight Ethyl Lactate 30.00 180.00 900.00 30.00 180.00900.00 Binder Soln 55.10 330.60 1653.00 63.49 380.94 1904.70 PCN Blue0.06 0.36 1.80 TiO₂ 0.61 3.65 18.3 IO Black 5.70 34.20 171.00 IO Red3.45 20.70 103.50 1.54 9.25 46.20 IO Yellow 4.30 25.80 129.00 IO Brown5.75 34.50 172.50 Grinding 600 3000 600 3000 Media INK PASTE COLOR GREENBLACK Total Wt. (g) 651 3000 651 3000 Weight Target Target Weight TargetTarget Ingredient Percent Weight Weight Percent Weight Weight EthylLactate 28.53 185.73 855.90 23.98 156.11 719.40 Binder Soln 63.85 415.661915.50 64.04 416.90 1921.20 PCN Blue 0.03 0.20 0.90 IO Black 11.9877.99 359.4 Cr₂O₃ 7.59 49.41 227.70 Grinding 850 4298 850 4298 Media INKPASTE COLOR TURQUOISE ORANGE Total Wt. (g) 600 3000 600 3000 WeightTarget Target Weight Target Target Ingredient Percent Weight WeightPercent Weight Weight Ethyl Lactate 30.00 180.00 900.00 30.00 180.00900.00 Binder Soln 58.16 348.96 1744.80 58.00 348.00 1740.00 PCN Blue0.63 3.78 18.90 PCN Green 2.25 13.50 67.50 TiO₂ 8.88 53.28 266.40 IO Red6.00 36.00 180.00 Carbazole 0.08 0.48 2.40 Violet Hydrophobic 6.00 36.00180.00 IO Grinding 600.00 5000.00 850.00 4298.00 Media

Of course, alternative ways to form colored opaque elements of the lensmay be used. For example, selected portions of the iris section of awetted hydrophilic lens may be impregnated with a solution of a firstsubstance, such as barium chloride. Then the lens may be immersed in asolution of a second substance, such as sulfuric acid, that forms anopaque, water-insoluble precipitate with the first substance, forexample barium sulfate. Thus an opaque precipitate forms within the lensin a predetermined pattern in the iris section. Next all or at least theopaque pattern of the iris section is colored opaque pattern inaccordance with the invention. If the entire iris is colored withtranslucent tint, then the interstices within the pattern will betranslucently colored, but still non-opaque and in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. Optionally, the pupilsection of the lens may be colored by a non-opaque tint, because suchtint is not visible when the lens is against the dark pupil present inthe eye of the wearer. Other alternative opaquing methods include use ofa laser (U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,647) and finely ground particles U.S. Pat.No. 4,460,523.

The process of the present invention for making colored contact lensesis as follows. A transparent contact lens comprising at least a pupilsection and an iris section surrounding the pupil section is provided.

If the lens is constructed of a hydrophilic material, it also has aperipheral section surrounding iris section. For hydrophilic material,the steps described below are performed with the material in anunhydrated state. Preferred hydrophilic materials are disclosed byLoshaek in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,773, incorporated herein by reference.

The colored pattern may be deposited onto iris section of the lens inany manner. A currently preferred method is by offset pad printing,described below in some detail.

A plate as (not shown) is prepared having a flat surface and circulardepressions corresponding to the desired dot pattern. To make thepattern shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each depression should have adiameter of approximately 0.1 mm, and a depth of approximately 0.013 mm.The depressions are arranged to cover an annular shape corresponding tothat of the iris section of the lens.

The plate may be made by a technique that is well known for makingintegrated analog or digital circuits. First, a pattern about 20 timesas large as the desired pattern is prepared. Next, the pattern isreduced using well-known photographic techniques to a pattern of theexact desired size having the portion to be colored darker than theremaining area. A flat surface is covered by a photo resist materialthat becomes water insoluble when exposed to light. The photo resistmaterial is covered with the pattern and exposed to light. The portionof the photo resist pattern is removed by washing with water and theresulting plate is etched to the required depth. Then the remainder ofthe photo resist material is mechanically removed.

Colorant, comprising a pigment and binder or carrier for the pigment isdeposited on the flat surface of the plate and scraped across thepattern with a doctor blade. This causes the depressions to be filledwith ink while removing excess ink from flat surface. The colorant maybe more or less opaque depending on the degree of color change desired.The opacity may be varied by modifying the proportion of pigment tobinder in the colorant A desired affect may be obtained using a highlyopaque colorant or by having a somewhat less opaque colorant andcovering a greater portion of the iris section surface.

A pad made of silicon rubber, impregnated with silicon oil for easyrelease, is pressed against the pattern, removing ink from thedepressions. The ink on the pad is allowed to dry slightly to improvetackiness, then pressed against the front surface of the contact lens,which deposits the ink in the desired pattern over the iris section. Thepad should have enough flexibility to deform to fit over the convexfront surface of the lens. For a more natural effect, the printing stepmay be repeated one or more times using different patterns in differentcolors, since upon close examination, the iris's of many persons arefound to contain more than one color. The printed pattern need not beabsolutely uniform, allowing for enhancement of the fine structure ofthe iris.

Next the deposited pattern is treated to render it resistant to removalfrom the lens under exposure to the ocular fluids that the lens willencounter when placed in the eye. The exact method of preventing removaldepends on the material of construction of the lens and the pattern.Mere air drying or heating the lens may suffice. For hydrophilic lenses,the techniques for coating the opaque pattern described in Wichterle,U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,504 (incorporated herein by reference), may be used.

The method for manufacturing a colored contact lens generally includesthe steps of applying three portions of colorant to the surface of atransparent contact lens and rendering the colorant resistant to removalfrom ocular fluids. The printed contact lens has a non-opaque pupilsection and an iris section surrounding said pupil section with thethree portions of colorant. The first portion of colorant, or outermoststarburst, is of a first shade, the second portion of colorant, theouter starburst, is a second shade which is different from the firstshade, and the third portion of the colorant, or the inner starburst, isa third shade which is different from the second shade and may or maynot be the same as the first shade. The outermost starburst may belocated such that the greatest concentration of elements of theoutermost starburst are located generally on the outside of, but stillwithin, the iris section, and generally on the outside of theconcentration of elements of the outer starburst. The greatestconcentration of elements of the outer starburst is located generally onthe outside of the greatest concentration of elements of the innerstarburst, and a first uneven border differentiates the outermoststarburst and the outer starburst, although the outermost starburst andthe outer starburst potions will overlap. A second uneven borderdifferentiates the outer starburst and the inner starburst, although theouter and inner starbursts overlap. Thus, a lens capable of changing theapparent color of the iris of a person wearing the lens and imparting avery natural appearance is provided.

The steps used to deposit the intermittent pattern on the lens surfaceinclude using a first plate having depressions corresponding to thefirst portion or outermost starburst and filling the depressions withcolorant of the first shade, preferably black. The next step is pressinga first flexible pad against the first plate and subsequently pressingthe first flexible pad against the surface of the lens (either side)thereby printing the first portion of the elements.

The next step involves using a second plate having depressionscorresponding to the second portion or outer starburst and filling inthe depressions with colorant of the second shade which is differentfrom the first shade, preferably blue, green, gray or brown. The nextstep is pressing the second flexible pad against a second plate andpressing the second flexible pad against the surface of the lens (eitherthe same or the opposite surface) thereby printing the second portion ofthe elements.

The final step involves using a third plate having depressionscorresponding to the third portion or inner starburst and filling thedepressions with colorant of the third shade which is different from thesecond shade and is either the same or different from the first shade,preferably hazel. Pressing a third flexible pad against the third plateand pressing the third flexible pad against said surface of the lens(either side) thereby printing the third portion of the elements.

Although the steps listed above place an order to the printing of theportions on the lens, the order of printing is not important to thepresent invention and any other order of printing would be covered bythe present invention. Further, the process described above may includethe maximum and minimum distances, creating the uneven borders,previously listed in the alternative embodiments.

An alternative embodiment for printing the different layers on the irissection of the contact lens provides for ink-jet printing instead of padprinting of each layer. Ink-jet printing is accomplished without theneed of pads or plates and can be administered at a higher resolutionthan pad printing, thereby providing for greater detail of each coloredlayer and a more natural final pattern on the iris section of thecontact lens.

Using ink-jet printing also reduces the number of devices that makecontact either with the contact lens or with other devices. For example,a silicon pad must make contact with a plate or cliche initially andthen with the contact lens itself. Contact between the parts tends towear down the parts, which will then require replacements. During theink-jet process, the micro-nozzles do not physically make contact withthe contact lens, nor with any other device. The chance of themicro-nozzle wearing out is thereby reduced.

Further, the ink-jet printer is electronically controlled such thatchanging from one color layer to a different color layer can be doneeasily, by computer control. Thus, once a contact lens design isdetermined and separated into its multiple colored layers, each layercan be applied to the colored contact lens using an ink-jet process,thereby creating a colored contact lens capable of changing the apparentcolor of the wearer's iris.

It can be seen that the present invention provides lenses capable ofchanging the appearance of the wearer's iris, while allowingvisualization of the fine structure thereof. Various changes may be madein the function and arrangement of parts: equivalent means may besubstituted for those illustrated and described; and certain featuresmay be used independently from others without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A colored contact lens comprising a non-opaquepupil section, an iris section surrounding said pupil section, and acolored, opaque intermittent pattern made up of a plurality of elementslocated over said entire iris section that leaves a substantial portionwithin the interstices of the pattern non-opaque, said pattern coveringan effective amount of the said iris section to change the apparentcolor of the iris, said pattern comprising: a plurality of portions,each of said portions being a different shade from each other portion,each of said portions overlapping each other portion at a plurality ofpoints, wherein at least one of said plurality of portions contains adesign selected from the group consisting of uniform and non-uniformdots, islands of color, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, spikes,striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and streaks, thereby providing alens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of a personwearing the lens and imparting a very natural appearance.
 2. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the effective amount isbetween 10 and 30 % of the area of said iris section.
 3. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 2 wherein the effective amount isapproximately at least 20% of the area of said iris section.
 4. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 3 wherein said pluralityof portions comprises at least three different portions.
 5. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 4, wherein said elements of thepattern comprise three shades, a first shade, a second shade and a thirdshade.
 6. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 5 whereinsaid first shade is a color selected from the group consisting of gray,dark brown, dark blue and black, said second shade is a color selectedfrom the group consisting of blue, green, gray, turquoise, hazel, lightblue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow or brown, and said third shadeis a color selected from the group consisting of hazel, yellow,yellow-green, brown, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 7. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first shade, saidsecond shade, and said third shade are colors selected from the groupconsisting of blue, green, gray or brown, black, hazel, dark brown, darkblue, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow,yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 8. The colored contact lensin accordance with claim 5 wherein said first shaded portion is adarkest shaded portion, said third shaded portion is a lightest shadedportion, and said second shaded portion is neither the darkest shadedportion nor lightest shaded portion, wherein said darkest portion has agreatest concentration of elements located generally outside saidlightest shaded portion, and outside said at least one portion which isneither the darkest shaded nor lightest shaded portion.
 9. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the non-opaqueinterstices are uncolored.
 10. A colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the non-opaque interstices are translucently colored.11. A colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein theelements of the pattern are transparent.
 12. A colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said colored contact is hydrophilic. 13.A colored contact lens in accordance with claim 1 wherein said portionscomprise a substantially concentric pattern surrounding said pupilsection.
 14. A colored contact lens in accordance with claim 13 whereinsaid substantially concentric patterns have irregular borders.
 15. Acolored contact lens in accordance with claim 13 wherein saidsubstantially concentric patterns comprise projections which may extendto the periphery of the pupil section or the periphery of the irissection.
 16. A colored contact lens comprising a non-opaque pupilsection, an iris section surrounding said pupil section, and a colored,opaque intermittent pattern made up of a plurality of elements locatedover said entire iris section that leaves a substantial portion withinthe interstices of the pattern non-opaque, said pattern covering aneffective amount of the said iris section to change the apparent colorof the iris, said pattern comprising: a plurality of portions, each ofsaid portions being a different shade from each other portion such thatsaid pattern consists of a darkest shade portion, a lightest shadedportion, and at least one portion which is neither the darkest shadednor lightest shaded portion, each of said portions overlapping eachother portion at a plurality of points, wherein said darkest portion hasa greatest concentration of elements located generally outside saidlightest shaded portion, and outside said at least one portion which isneither the darkest shaded nor lightest shaded portion, therebyproviding a lens capable of changing the apparent color of the iris of aperson wearing the lens and imparting a very natural appearance.
 17. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 16 wherein the effectiveamount is between 10 and 30% of the area of said iris section.
 18. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 17 wherein the effectiveamount is approximately at least 20% of the area of said iris section.19. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 18 wherein saidplurality of portions comprises at least three different portions. 20.The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 19 wherein said atleast three different portions comprise different patterns each patternbeing made up of elements selected from the group consisting of uniformand non-uniform dots, islands of color, worms, starbursts, corkscrews,spokes, spikes, striations, radial stripes, zig-zags and streaks. 21.The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 20, wherein saidelements of the pattern comprise three shades, a first shade, a secondshade and a third shade.
 22. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 20 wherein said first shade is a color selected form the groupconsisting of gray, dark brown, dark blue and black, said second shadeis a color selected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray,turquoise, hazel, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow orbrown, and said third shade is a color selected from the groupconsisting of hazel, yellow, yellow-green, brown, yellow-brown, gold andorange.
 23. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 20 whereinsaid first shade, said second shade, and said third shade are colorsselected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray or brown, black,hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua,turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 24. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 16 wherein the non-opaqueinterstices are uncolored.
 25. The colored contact lens in accordancewith claim 16 wherein the non-opaque interstices are translucentlycolored.
 26. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 16wherein the elements of the pattern are transparent.
 27. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 16 wherein said colored contact ishydrophilic.
 28. A colored contact lens in accordance with claim 16wherein said portions comprise a substantially concentric patternsurrounding said pupil section.
 29. A colored contact lens in accordancewith claim 28 wherein said substantially concentric patterns haveirregular borders.
 30. A colored contact lens in accordance with claim28 wherein said substantially concentric patterns comprise projectionswhich may extend to the periphery of the pupil section or the peripheryof the iris section.
 31. A colored contact lens comprising a non-opaquepupil section, an iris section surrounding said pupil section, and acolored, opaque intermittent pattern made up of a plurality of elementslocated over said entire iris section that leaves a substantial portionwithin the interstices of the pattern non-opaque, said pattern coveringan effective amount of the said iris section to change the apparentcolor of the iris, said pattern comprising: at least three portions,each of said at least three portions being a different shade from eachother portion, each of said portions overlapping each other portion at aplurality of points, wherein said overlapping portions commingle at aplurality of locations, said commingling of portions being indiscernibleto the ordinary viewer, thereby providing a lens capable of changing theapparent color of the iris of a person wearing the lens and imparting avery natural appearance.
 32. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 31 wherein the effective amount is between 10 and 30% of the areaof said iris section.
 33. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 32 wherein the effective amount is approximately at least 20% ofthe area of said iris section.
 34. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 33 wherein said plurality of portions comprises atleast three different portions.
 35. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 34 wherein said at least three different portionscomprise different patterns each pattern being made up of elementsselected from the group consisting of uniform and non-uniform dots,islands of color, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, spikes,striation, radial stripes, zig-zags and streaks.
 36. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 35, wherein said elements of the patterncomprise three shades, a first shade, a second shade and a third shade.37. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 36 wherein saidfirst shade is a color selected form the group consisting of gray, darkbrown, dark blue and black, said second shade is a color selected fromthe group consisting of blue, green, gray, turquoise, hazel, light blue,violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow or brown, and said third shade is acolor selected from the group consisting of hazel, yellow, yellow-green,brown, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 38. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 36 wherein said first shade, said second shade,and said third shade are colors selected from the group consisting ofblue, green, gray or brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, lightblue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green,yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 39. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 36 wherein said first shaded portion is a darkestshaded portion, said third shaded portion is a lightest shaded portion,and said second shaded portion is neither the darkest shaded portion norlightest shaded portion, wherein said darkest portion has a greatestconcentration of elements located generally outside said lightest shadedportion, and outside said at least one portion which is neither thedarkest shaded nor lightest shaded portion.
 40. The colored contact lensin accordance with claim 31 wherein the non-opaque interstices areuncolored.
 41. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 31wherein the non-opaque interstices are translucently colored.
 42. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 31 wherein the elements ofthe pattern are transparent.
 43. The colored contact lens in accordancewith claim 31 wherein said colored contact is hydrophilic.
 44. A coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 31 wherein said portions comprisea substantially concentric pattern surrounding said pupil section.
 45. Acolored contact lens in accordance with claim 44 wherein saidsubstantially concentric patterns have irregular borders.
 46. A coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 44 wherein said substantiallyconcentric patterns comprise projections which may extend to theperiphery of the pupil section or the periphery of the iris section. 47.A colored contact lens comprising a non-opaque pupil section, an irissection surrounding said pupil section, and a colored, intermittentpattern made up of a plurality of elements located over said entire irissection that leaves a substantial portion of the pattern non-opaque,said pattern covering an effective amount of the said iris section tochange the apparent color of the iris, said pattern comprising: at leastthree portions, each of said at least three portions being a differentshade from each other portion, each of said portions overlap each otherportion at a plurality of points, wherein said overlapping portionsblend together to produce the appearance of unique textures and colors,said blending portions being indiscernible to the ordinary viewer,thereby providing a lens capable of changing the apparent color of theiris of a person wearing the lens while imparting a very naturalappearance.
 48. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 47wherein the effective amount is between 10 and 30% of the area of saidiris section.
 49. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 48wherein the effective amount is approximately at least 20% of the areaof said iris section.
 50. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 49 wherein said plurality of portions comprises at least threedifferent portions.
 51. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 50 wherein said at least three different portions comprisedifferent patterns each pattern being made up of elements selected fromthe group consisting of uniform and non-uniform dots, islands of color,worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, spikes, striations, radialstripes, zig-zags and streaks.
 52. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 51, wherein said elements of the pattern comprisethree shades, a first shade, a second shade and a third shade.
 53. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 52 wherein said firstshade is a color selected form the group consisting of gray, dark brown,dark blue and black, said second shade is a color selected from thegroup consisting of blue, green, gray, turquoise, hazel, light blue,violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow or brown, and said third shade is acolor selected from the group consisting of hazel, yellow, yellow-green,brown, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 54. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 52 wherein said first shade, said second shade,and said third shade are colors selected from the group consisting ofblue, green, gray or brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, lightblue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green,yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 55. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 52 wherein said first shaded portion is a darkestshaded portion, said third shaded portion is a lightest shaded portion,and said second shaded portion is neither the darkest shaded portion norlightest shaded portion, wherein said darkest portion has a greatestconcentration of elements located generally outside said lightest shadedportion, and outside said at least one portion which is neither thedarkest shaded nor lightest shaded portion.
 56. The colored contact lensin accordance with claim 47 wherein the non-opaque interstices areuncolored.
 57. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 47wherein the non-opaque interstices are translucently colored.
 58. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 47 wherein the elements ofthe pattern are transparent.
 59. The colored contact lens in accordancewith claim 47 wherein said colored contact is hydrophilic.
 60. A coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 47 wherein said portions comprisea substantially concentric pattern surrounding said pupil section.
 61. Acolored contact lens in accordance with claim 60 wherein saidsubstantially concentric patterns have irregular borders.
 62. A coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 60 wherein said substantiallyconcentric patterns comprise projections which may extend to theperiphery of the pupil section or the periphery of the iris section. 63.A colored contact lens comprising a non-opaque pupil section, an irissection surrounding said pupil section, and a colored, intermittentpattern made up of a plurality of elements located over said entire irissection that leaves a substantial portion of the pattern non-opaque,said pattern covering an effective amount of the said iris section tochange the apparent color of the iris, said pattern comprising: aplurality of portions, each of said plurality of portions being either aconcentric portion or a radial portion, wherein said portions blendtogether to produce the appearance of unique textures and colors,thereby providing a lens capable of changing the apparent color of theiris of a person wearing the lens while imparting a very naturalappearance.
 64. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 63wherein the effective amount is between 10 and 30% of the area of saidiris section.
 65. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 64wherein the effective amount is approximately at least 20% of the areaof said iris section.
 66. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 65 wherein said plurality of portions either overlap completely oroverlap partially.
 67. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim66 wherein each of said radial portions is connected to each other. 68.The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 66 wherein each ofsaid radial portions is separate from each other.
 69. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 66 wherein each of said radialportions is irregularly shaped.
 70. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 66 wherein each of said portions are colorsselected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray or brown, black,hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua,turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 71. Thecolored contact-lens in accordance with claim 66 wherein said firstshaded portion is a darkest shaded portion, said third shaded portion isa lightest shaded portion, and said second shaded portion is neither thedarkest shaded portion nor lightest shaded portion, wherein said darkestportion has a greatest concentration of elements located generallyoutside said lightest shaded portion, and outside said at least oneportion which is neither the darkest shaded nor lightest shaded portion.72. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 63 wherein thenon-opaque interstices are uncolored.
 73. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 63 wherein the non-opaque interstices aretranslucently colored.
 74. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 63 wherein the elements of the pattern are transparent.
 75. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 63 wherein said coloredcontact is hydrophilic.
 76. A colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 63 wherein said portions comprise a substantially concentricpattern surrounding said pupil section.
 77. A colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 76 wherein said substantially concentric patternshave irregular borders.
 78. A colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 76 wherein said substantially concentric patterns compriseprojections which may extend to the periphery of the pupil section orthe periphery of the iris section.
 79. A method for manufacturing acolored contact lens having a non-opaque pupil section, an iris sectionsurrounding said pupil section, and a colored, intermittent pattern madeup of a plurality of elements located over said entire iris section thatleaves a substantial portion of the pattern non-opaque, said patterncovering an effective amount of said iris section to change the apparentcolor of the iris, comprising the steps of: a) providing a transparentcontact lens; b) applying a plurality of portions of colorant to thesurface of the contact lens, such that said colorant covers an effectiveamount of said iris section, each of said portions overlapping eachother portion at a plurality of points, wherein said overlappingportions blend together to produce the appearance of unique textures andcolors, thereby providing a lens capable of changing the apparent colorof the iris of a person wearing the lens while imparting a very naturalappearance.
 80. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 79wherein the effective amount is between 10 and 30% of the area of saidiris section.
 81. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 80wherein the effective amount is approximately at least 20% of the areaof said iris section.
 82. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 81 wherein said plurality of portions comprises at least threedifferent portions.
 83. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 82 wherein said at least three different portions comprisedifferent patterns each pattern being made up of elements selected fromthe group consisting of uniform and non-uniform dots, islands of color,worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, spikes, striations, radialstripes, zig-zags and streaks.
 84. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 83, wherein said plurality of portions of colorantcomprise three shades, a first shade, a second shade and a third shade.85. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 84 wherein saidfirst shade is a color selected form the group consisting of gray, darkbrown, dark blue and black, said second shade is a color selected fromthe group consisting of blue, green, gray, turquoise, hazel, light blue,violet, blue-violet, aqua, yellow or brown, and said third shade is acolor selected from the group consisting of hazel, yellow, yellow-green,brown, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 86. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 84 wherein said first shade, said second shade,and said third shade are colors selected from the group consisting ofblue, green, gray or brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, lightblue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green,yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 87. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 84 wherein said first shade is a darkest shadedportion, said third shade is a lightest shaded portion, and said secondshad is neither the darkest shade nor the lightest shade, wherein saiddarkest portion has a greatest concentration of elements locatedgenerally outside said lightest shaded portion, and outside said atleast one portion which is neither the darkest shaded nor lightestshaded portion.
 88. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 79wherein the elements of the pattern are transparent.
 89. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 79 wherein said colored contact ishydrophilic.
 90. A colored contact lens in accordance with claim 79wherein said portions comprise a substantially concentric patternsurrounding said pupil section.
 91. A colored contact lens in accordancewith claim 90 wherein said substantially concentric patterns haveirregular borders.
 92. A colored contact lens in accordance with claim90 wherein said substantially concentric patterns comprise projectionswhich may extend to the periphery of the pupil section or the peripheryof the iris section.
 93. The method for manufacturing a colored contactlens in accordance with claim 79 wherein said applying a plurality ofportions of colorant comprises using an ink-jet printer to apply each ofsaid plurality of portions of colorant.
 94. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 1 wherein one or more of the plurality of portionsis not continuous and wherein the portion that is not continuoussubstantially overlaps with one or more other portions, the designs ofthe portions blending and mixing together.
 95. The colored contact lensin accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and secondportions generally extends from the periphery of the non-opaque pupilsection to the periphery of the iris section.
 96. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the effective amount is no morethan about 30% of the area of said iris section.
 97. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 1 wherein one or more of the portionscontains a design that includes at least some striations.
 98. Thecolored contact lens in accordance with claim 97 wherein one or more ofthe portions contains a design that includes at least some non-uniformdots.
 99. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 97 whereinone or more of the portions contains a design that includes at leastsome uniform dots.
 100. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 97 wherein one or more of the portions contains a backgroundportion that is located over the iris section.
 101. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 100 wherein the background portioncomprises an annular area of translucent colorant and wherein saidnon-opaque interstices are translucently colored.
 102. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 94 wherein an annular area oftranslucent colorant is located generally over the iris section. 103.The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 102 wherein one ormore of the plurality of portions includes elements of a shade selectedfrom the group consisting of blue, green, gray, brown, black, hazel,dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise,yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 104. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 102 wherein at least one of theportions contains a design that includes worms, spokes, spikes,striations, radial stripes, zig-zags or streaks and at least one of theportions contains a design that Includes dots.
 105. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 104 wherein one or more of the pluralityof portions includes elements of a shade selected from the groupconsisting of blue, green, gray, brown, black, hazel, dark brown, darkblue, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow,yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 106. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 1 wherein the pattern includes abackground portion located over the iris section that includes agenerally annular area of translucent colorant, a first portion thatcontains a design that includes striations and is of a first shade, anda second portion that contains a design that includes non-uniform dotsand is of a second shade, wherein at least one of the first and secondportions generally extends from the periphery of the non-opaque pupilsection to the periphery of the iris section, and wherein at least oneof the first and second shades is selected from the group consisting ofblue, green, gray, brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, lightblue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green,yellow-brown, gold and orange and the non-opaque interstices aretranslucently colored.
 107. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the pattern Includes a first portion that contains adesign that includes worms, striations, radial stripes or streaks and isof a first shade, a second portion contains a design that includes dotsand is of a second shade, wherein at least one of the first and secondportions extends generally from the periphery of the non-opaque pupilsection to the periphery of the iris section, and a third portion thatcontains a design that includes islands of color and is of a thirdshade, the third portion located generally around the outside of thefirst and second portions, wherein at least one of the first, second andthird shades is selected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray,brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet,blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, goldand orange and wherein the non-opaque interstices are uncolored. 108.The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 16 wherein theeffective amount is no more than about 30% of the area of said irissection.
 109. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 16wherein one or more of said plurality of portions contains a designselected from the group consisting of uniform and non-uniform dots,islands of color, worms, starbursts, corkscrews, spokes, spikes,striations, radial stripes, zigzags and streaks.
 110. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 109 wherein one or more of theshaded portions is of a shade selected from the group consisting ofblue, green, gray, brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, lightblue, violet, blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green,yellow-brown, gold and orange.
 111. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 110 wherein the non-opaque interstices areuncolored.
 112. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 16wherein one or more of the plurality of portions contains a design thatincludes dots, one or more of the plurality of portions contains adesign that includes elongated, radially-extending design elements andone or more of the plurality of portions contains a design that includesislands of color, wherein one or more of the shaded portions is of ashade selected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray, brown,black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet, blue-violet,aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange andthe non-opaque interstices are uncolored.
 113. The colored contact lensin accordance with claim 63 wherein each of said portions at leastpartially overlaps each of the other portions at a plurality of points.114. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 113 wherein atleast one of the portions has an irregular border.
 115. The coloredcontact lens in accordance with claim 113 wherein at least one of theportions generally extends from the periphery of the non-opaque pupilsection to the periphery of the iris section.
 116. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 115 wherein one or more of the portionsincludes opaque elements.
 117. The colored contact lens in accordancewith claim 116 wherein at least some of the elements of one or more ofthe portions are irregularly shaped.
 118. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 117 wherein the non-opaque interstices of thepattern are translucently colored.
 119. The colored contact lens inaccordance with claim 118 wherein one or more of the portions includeselements of a shade selected from the group consisting of blue, green,gray, brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet,blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, goldand orange.
 120. The colored contact lens in accordance with claim 116wherein one or more of the portions includes elements of a shadeselected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray, brown, black,hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua,turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange. 121.colored contact lens in accordance with claim 120 wherein the non-opaqueinterstices are uncolored.
 122. The colored contact lens in accordancewith claim 121 wherein one or more of the portions is a darkest shadedportion and has a greatest concentration of elements located generallyaround the outside of the other portions.
 123. The colored contact lensin accordance with claim 63 wherein the effective amount is no more thanabout 30% of the area of said iris section.
 124. The colored contactlens in accordance with claim 63 wherein at least one of the portionsgenerally extends from the periphery of the non-opaque pupil section tothe periphery of the iris section, one or more of the plurality ofportions is not continuous and each of said portions at least partiallyoverlaps each of the other portions at a plurality of points with thedesigns of the portions blending and mixing together, wherein one ormore of the portions includes opaque elements and at least some of theelements are irregularly shaped, one or more of the portions includingelements of a shade selected from the group consisting of blue, green,gray, brown, black, hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet,blue-violet, aqua, turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, goldand orange, and wherein the non-opaque interstices of the pattern aretranslucently colored.
 125. The colored contact lens in accordance withclaim 63 wherein at least one of the portions generally extends from theperiphery of the non-opaque pupil section to the periphery of the irissection and each of said portions at least partially overlaps each ofthe other portions at a plurality of points, wherein at least one of theportions is a radial portion that includes elongated, radially-extendingdesign elements, wherein one or more of the portions includes opaqueelements, one or more of the portions including elements of a shadeselected from the group consisting of blue, green, gray, brown, black,hazel, dark brown, dark blue, light blue, violet, blue-violet, aqua,turquoise, yellow, yellow-green, yellow-brown, gold and orange, one ofthe portions having elements of a darkest shade with a greatestconcentration of darkest shade elements located generally around theoutside of the other portions, and wherein the non-opaque interstices ofthe pattern are uncolored.